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“Rome - the city of visible history, where the past of a whole hemisphere seems moving in funeral procession with strange ancestral images and trophies gathered from afar.”
No where else in the world will you find such innumberable pleasures as in Rome. The Eternal City offers today's travellers a spectacular collision of history and modernity.
Our curated guide follows the footsteps of Romans through their daily life, both in ancient and modern times. Each itinerary allows you to experience popular attractions without the crowds while providing a starting point to explore the parts of the city you may never knew existed. As with all of our guides, you are encouraged to use these itineraries as a starting point to make your own Roman memories.
The grandeur of the pantheon
THE CITY
Founded in 753 B.C.
≈ 9 million visitors annually
Rome's entire historic center designated a World Heritage Site
Essentials
Year-round, but spring and autumn are ideal times to visit. Summer is hot, and as such, most Romans leave the city during parts of July and most of August. Compass & Key visited Rome in late November and enjoyed mild weather, short lines and few crowds at the majority of popular sites.
Compass & Key has stayed at several hotels in the historic center, the Centro Storico, from which you can easily reach the popular sites within a 20-30 minute walk while having authentic restaurants and shops at your doorstep. However, rates were more reasonable during our visit in the off-season. Make sure to review our complete list of curated hotels in Rome with the Compass & Key Hotel List, which will accommodate a range of budgets.
JK Place Roma, ($$$$, jkroma.com) an award-winning luxury boutique hotel in the heart of the Centro Storico, which was once the Rome School of Architecture in its previous life. Reserve through Mr. and Mrs. Smith for the Smith extra, currently a bottle of wine and fresh fruit. This is a splurge-worthy hotel, particularly during off-peak months.
Hotel Indigo St. George ($$$, hotelindigorome.com), part of the Intercontinental Hotel Group, offers value in both amenities and location. Look closely at the foundation to see travertine blocks from a Palace commissioned in the 16th century, but never completed.
Come hungry because Roman food - and wine - is divine. Make sure to try Cacio e Pepe, a simple but tasty pasta dish, as well as the array of fresh seafood. Our interactive map showcases several delightful restaurants, but in particular, we loved the service and cuisine at Arancio d'Oro, a cozy neighborhood trattoria next door to the fabulous J.K. Place hotel.
Hostaria Arancio D'Oro - Rome
AUTENTICA CUCINA ROMANA - Il ristorante e pizzeria Arancio D'Oro si trova a Roma in zona centro storico. Piatti tipici della più autentica cucina romana e pizze cotte al forno a legna, da gustare sia a pranzo che a cena in un ambiente caldo e sempre accogliente.
HOW TO GET THERE
Most visitors fly into Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino international airport (FCO). Given that public transport isn't as accessible in the historic center, Compass & Key recommends taking the 50-minute taxi ride for €48, particularly if you have several pieces of luggage. If you prefer to save some Euros, there is an express train service for €14 that takes 32 minutes to reach Rome's main train station, Stazione Termini, running every 30 minutes. Both recommended hotels can be reached via public transport within 65-75 minutes but involve a transfer to bus or metro after the express train, followed by some walking (within ten minutes). Plot your own course with our transit app of choice, CityMapper.
GETTING AROUND
Rome is exceptionally walkable. Getting around by foot offers the best way to take in the history that surrounds you. We at Compass & Key are avid supporters of public transportation, but we barely used it during our visit. Still, there is a metro and bus system available and tickets can be purchased at newspaper kiosks, tobacconists and metro stations.
CHECK FLIGHT TIMES TO ROME (Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino International Airport)
Where to Go
Compass & Key has curated five itineraries for wandering Rome. Scroll below the map overview and click on the name of each itinerary for a dynamic map and guide.
Immerse Yourself in Ancient Rome with Ancient World Tours
Have you always wondered what Rome’s ancient sites might have looked like during their heyday? With immersive, 360° reconstructions of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, now you can visualize the ruins in their full grandeur with this Ancient Rome Self-Guided Audio Tour, available for only $6.00 from Ancient World.
This tour provides complex digital reconstructions ranging from the 100th century AD through to the present day with commentary from a local guide at each of the 18 stops. Take in a chariot race at the Colosseum, admire the intricate decorations of the Arch of Constantine, discover the hidden garden of the Emperor, and so much more. ➤ Buy the Ancient Rome Self-Guided Audio Tour Today!
Resources
A collection of our must-have guide books to this glorious city. Click on the images to purchase online through Amazon, or note the titles and go to your favorite local bookstore.
Easily fitting in a daypack or purse, this is an ideal companion as you explore each neighborhood.
We've always liked Rick Steves guidebooks, but his advice throughout Italy is top notch.
These three tiny booklets - one for each country - are the size of a credit card and help navigate the menus with a simple A to Z glossary.
A delightful, well-designed map of distinctive places throughout the city.
Part cookbook, part travel memoir, this brings the history of Rome to life.
Context Tours - Rome, providing historian-led tours, either privately or in small groups of six people or less. We're eyeing the Rome Night Tour for our next visit.
The Official Rome Visitors Bureau to browse for events during your trip and the latest news about the city.
A handy List of Festivals and Events from TimeOut to cross-reference with your vacation dates.
Eat With - Rome, where you can book meals and cooking classes hosted by locals. Recommended for the first or second day of your trip so you can ask your host about unique things to do and see.
Private Rome Tours, primarily of the culinary kind, with resident expert Katie Parla, covering everything from an introduction to Italian wine to neighborhood-specific cuisines. The Testaccio and Trastevere cuisine tour is on our list.
Interactive Map
Explore the Compass & Key interactive map for Rome, showcasing so much more than just the places in our itineraries. Some sites we have visited while others were discovered through favorite travel writers and bloggers. Simply click on the icon to learn more.
✤ Map Under Construction - Back Online Soon ✤
GUIDES ON THE GO
Take this Compass & Key map with you by following @compassandkey on Mapstr, an app that lets you create a personal map with all of your favorite places, anywhere in the world. Learn more in our Mapstr review.
OUTTAKES
CURATED STORIES FROM AROUND THE WEB
Rome's Green Spaces Are Getting a Makeover
may be known as the Eternal City, but in order for its green spaces to survive the millions of annual tourists and lounging locals, many of them need a revamp-and luckily, a revamp is on the way. This month, the city will kick off a €12 million (US$13.4 million) plan to revitalize 20 of its parks and gardens.
Basic Italian words and phrases for your trip to Italy
As a traveler with Italian roots, I'm admittedly a little biased. But there is something special about the Italian language. Whether it's a casual conversation, a heated argument, or an artfully-composed aria, everything just sounds better in Italian.
